The Columbia College Student Experience: In the first five weeks of the semester I plan to … ?

I plan to divise a way to get everyone's spring map grant back.

I plan to quit my job of 3 years for a new job that will hopefully be better

I plan to actually read and take notes on the materials assigned in class

I plan to be able to climb 4 flights of stairs to class without hyperventilating.

I plan to try not to pass out and die (I do that sometimes)

I plan to curse out printers for never working when I need them to.

I plan to remember to take deep breathes in between angry outbursts when construction interrupts my commute and makes people drive even slower!

I plan to lose the mindset of I can't be an artist because I am horrible at drawing and I don't understand perspective and replace it with I can be an artist even though I am horrible at drawing and don't understand perspective because isn't that the reason I came to Columbia in the first place to learn....

When all else fails...become a pirate.

I want to get into a show (cue West Side Story soundtrack) somehow, someway, someday. (end West Side story soundtrack). I am going to make tons of awesome friends, because I am an awe inspiring person. ;)

And I'm probably going to bake lots of tasty goodies. Baking is cathartic and the start of year can be stressful, so if you see someone going around handing out cookies and stuff. That's probably me.

I plan on observing all my talented, diverse, inspirational, unique, brainy classmates quickly and accurately enough to determine which ones I will force to partner up with me on every project from now on.

I honestly plan on hitting the gym a lot more so I can find better ways at handling stress. Entering my Senior Year, I have to keep my head as level as possible, and thats probably the most productive way to do it.

I plan to join Dan Baldwin's "Poor People, Inc" and work my way straight to the top of the poor people ladder. Or is it the bottom? Either way, I hope to land some semblance of a job nearby and work my way out of this unfortunate first-semester debt hole.

Given that this is my first year, I don't know what to expect. So during my first five weeks at Columbia, I plan to lack any sort of plan. That way I can focus on what I'm actually doing rather than worry about what I have to do. To do what is necessary and leave out the rest is my modus operandi.

In the first five weeks of the semester I plan to survive with some sense of humor left. If not, I plan to drop out and live in a van down by the river on a steady diet of government cheese.

I plan to spend the first five weeks of school soaking up the tail end of summer sunshine, baking delicious treats for friends, and responsibly doing my schoolwork! Oh, and working at the Learning Studio! yay tutoring!

1) Go crazy over how long it takes for Degrassi to come out with a new season

2) Come to the startling yet unsurprising realization that escapism is my greatest passion. Because come on..living at home is definitely going to take it's toll on me. Friends both current and future, beware! That dude outside your dorm carrying a sleeping bag will most definitely be me looking for a place to crash for a day or two

3) Making a billion play lists for my many friends because that's how I let people get to know me...

4)Hoping I eventually find a special girl or guy

Oh... ... ... is this supposed to be a prediction about the first semester??? In that case,

5) I will take Columbia and the entire South loop by storm. I'll have my eyes on the prize: Straight A's/B's, having fun, meeting all kinds of wacky, insane, incredible people!! Maybe start a student organization I christen "Poor People Inc"...j/k...To sum it all up, I'll have the best year ever!!

The way I am going to approach this semester is like a tiger. I am going to be the tiger moving ever so slightly while keeping my eyes on the prize. I am going to have confidence while approaching. Then once i zone in i will dramatically yet strategically pounce on my prey. My prey being the best grades and work i can do.

Hmm.. 1) stay ahead of the evil Syllabus (or is it syllabi???)

2) work

3) oh and complete my FINAL FILM!!!! (yea... I can do that in 5 weeks...)

Yeah... I can do it. Because I am WONDER WOMAN!!!! (or at least I try to be)

In the first five weeks of the semester I plan to stay off of facebook. Pray for me.

I plan to spend the first five weeks in constant amazement that the hypnosis worked and I actually quit smoking. I will wander around happily enjoying life without a cloud of smoke around me and maybe the girl of my dreams will appear and approach me because I no longer smell of stale smoke. One can wish. I'll probably just do a lot of homework, drink coffee and grumble.

The first five weeks at Columbia, I will most likely be the center of gossip. Everyone will be talking about me and know my name!

But not in a good way...

I'm thinking for the first five weeks I will be most likely to trip, fall, spill things, knock over a professor, bump into the biggest guy at Columbia, and probably even get beat up! Because when I get nervous I tend to be clumsy and it never looks good for me, and were talking about THE FIRST FIVE WEEKS... think of what I am capable of for the rest of my Columbia Experience!

You have been warned =]

I plan to learn so much my head will explode, which could be very bad, or very good if it lowers tuition costs somehow.

I wanna take the chance of asking fellow students if I can take a portrait of them. I want to see when flipping over my photography from the first five weeks the true diversity of Columbia and Chicago which shines here.

I plan on kicking my ass at five classes while still engaging in a very exciting internship at the Shedd Aquarium!

Im nervous and excited all in one. Being my last semester at Columbia, I hope to leave my mark...

I will make an extra effort in slowing my pace to the bus and train to take in the crazy beautiful Chicago transition of summer into the glorious season that is fall. (Picture taking included, of course.) ;)

This will be my last fall semester (hopefully), so I'm looking forward to the joys of being a senior and meeting more people before I blow this Popsicle stand in June.